Apparently, that’s what the luxury shoe brand Rupert Sanderson is banking on with its new line, which it says is tailored to an Asian foot. The shoes will hit shelves in its Hong Kong boutique next month.

The brand, also sold at Lane Crawford, is managed in Asia by Bruton Limited, a Hong Kong-based company headed by Bertrand Mak and Teresa Wong.

“We basically developed a new last [the mold on which a shoe is built] that is tailor-made for the Asian foot,” says Mr. Mak. “We’re trying to make a four-inch [10-centimeter] heel more comfortable.”

According to Mr. Mak, Asian feet tend to be higher-arched and narrower than their Western counterparts. The custom mold will provide greater support for the instep, says Mr. Mak, and make the heel “feel considerably lower” — indeed, half as high.

Science, though, disputes Mr. Mak’s claims.

“Asian feet tend to be slightly broader in the forefoot and they have a lower arch profile,” says Hong Kong podiatrist Alexandra Duff, who has been practicing for 15 years. In fact, she says, about 80% of Asians are flat-footed — more than any other ethnic group.

Mr. Mak admits that he did not consult a podiatrist in making the mold. Instead, his research consisted of speaking with friends and customers. “I have no interest in going into the technical aspects of making a shoe,” he says. The mold was also created from the casting of a single foot: that of business partner Teresa Wong, who he says has very high arches.

“Of course it’s not very accurate; every foot is different,” admits Mr. Mak. “We took a more pragmatic approach — our customers were saying that the shoe styles did not feel supported.”

But extra support for the arches will do little to alleviate the damage high heels inflict on women’s bodies, says Dr. Duff, who recommends that women stick to heels under 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters).

“Once you go over that, your foot doesn’t work properly at all,” she says. “It’ll increase lower-back pain and give you knee issues.”

As for the Rupert Sanderson mold? “You’re just putting a little build-up in the inside of the shoe, but it’s still a four-inch heel,” she says. “It’s like wearing a pair of Jimmy Choos with an insole in it.”

Comments (5 of 36)

The Hong Kong Podiatrist makes a lot of sense, it would explain why most footwear at the cheaper end of the scale, and likely manufactured in China or Vietnam, have ridiculously Low Arches ?

Of course from the manufacturers point of view, it makes sense to use a last suited to Asian feet, I expect the home market is just as big as the export one ?

5:04 am July 31, 2014

f wrote:

ft

11:14 am March 28, 2013

Anonymous wrote:

you are cursed with flat round ASIAN feet. how racist .

8:55 pm July 3, 2012

Matty wrote:

I am a 5 foot 9 Aussie with a little Indian Heritage & am cursed with flat round asian feet, Asian people call this Elephant feet & is common amounst Asian people. so when i wear a Aussie show (which has european sizes) I take a size 10 1/2 or a Size 11 if I want to wear thick socks. But in Indonesia I take a size 81/2 & stretches just enough that i can wear either thick or thin socks. It is a real thing. My father has Asian on his side but my mother is entierly Irish heritage. she takes normal size 7 Aussie shoes & when you compare her foot to my Dad's, Sister & myself you can see the differeance. The Asian foot curves outward more where the European is more straight edged almost box like. Trust me do a survey of Aussie feet & make sure to Include equal numbers of Northern Aussies who have alot of Asian heritage even the white ones. you will be astounded at the results, especially when you consider most Aboriginals take more big African boot sizes. But do remember flat footedness is not confined to jsut Aisan people. it can also be found amoungst European & arab people.

8:30 am January 20, 2011

Stephanie wrote:

Well I have wide feet even for the normal american shoe so I guess I won't be buying these. I wouldn't be buying 4 inch heels in the first place though xD